Dig Two Graves
on Goodreads (1,208)
What’s inside...
Seventeen-year-old Neve Lanier, a film noir fan who struggles to fit in, feels betrayed by her best friend Yasmin and ends up at a girl’s empowerment camp. There, she meets the charismatic Diane, who manipulates Neve into agreeing to a murder pact involving Diane's step-brother Javier, in exchange for killing Yasmin. As events unfold, Neve realizes Diane has lied about everything and that Yasmin might not be her first victim. Now, Neve must find a way to stop Diane before it's too late.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
14-18
Length
352 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think motivated the main character to make the choices they did?
How did the friendships in the story change from the beginning to the end?
What would you have done differently if you were in the main character's situation?
How do you think the story would change if it was set in present times?
Can you think of any moments in the story where you felt really connected to what was happening?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, provide some context about the book’s setting and characters to help your child connect with the story.
Pause after intense or emotional scenes to let your child absorb and discuss their feelings.
Encourage your child to predict future events in the book, fostering critical thinking and anticipation.
After finishing the book, ask your child to draw their favorite scene, helping them visualize and recount the story.
Connect themes from the book to real-life situations to aid in comprehension and relevance.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of perseverance
Explanation: Throughout the story, characters face challenging obstacles yet remain determined to overcome them, demonstrating resilience.
Real-World Application: Children learn that persistence in the face of difficulties is essential and can be applied to schoolwork, sports, or learning new skills.
Example Lesson: Understanding consequences
Explanation: The narrative emphasizes that every choice has a consequence, whether good or bad, guiding characters through a learning process.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to think critically about the potential outcomes of their decisions in interactions with friends and adherence to rules.
Example Lesson: The value of teamwork
Explanation: Characters must collaborate to solve problems, showing that cooperation can lead to achieving common goals.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to work together with peers in group projects or team sports, fostering a spirit of unity and collective effort.